The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-06
But Just What They Are Is Not Made Plain
Villas, Black and Sparks and the Demo-
cratic Vice-Presidential Nomination.
The President Will Not Be Disturbed by
the Howl About Eugene Higgins,
And. According to an Administration Organ.
Shows Disposition to Sustain that Per.
son in His Political Usefulness.
Gems. Villas, Black and sparkle ~ Candidates
with Mr.. Cleveland.

Gems. villas, Black and sparks Candidates
with Mr. Cleveland.
Washington Special
An exciting contest is being waged by friendI
of several prominent Democrats here for the
second place on the Presidential ticket next
year. Each candidate advocates Mr. Cleveland
for the first place, but modestiy insists that he
is better fitted for the second place than any
other man in the country. Postmaster general
Villas is prominent in this class. His friends
have been quietly working up a Villas boom for
some time Tho Postmaster general has taken
active part towards securing the nomination.
but he has smiled approvingly on the work Of
his friends in that direction
Mr.. Stevenson, the First Assistant Postmaster
general, had good boom under way about
six months ago. but of late it has apparently
been seized with severe illness. His friends
count for it by saying it has met the Villas boom
and had to give way. Mr. Stevenson is very
popular with the old-line Democrats He
showed a disposition from the start to make
changes among the fourth-class postmas ters and
did not insist upon having charge of off ensive
partisanship established against Republican
before he would remove him. His
popularity increased and many enthusi
astic Democrats suggested his name foI
the vic. presidency. Mr.. Villas did not
pay much attention to this at first. but some
time ago It was noticed that the Postmaster
general began to take . hand in tho appointing
of fourth class postmasters. Mr.. Stevenson's
boom called in.
Pension Commissioner Black appears to have
the vice-presidenlinl fever very bad. He
certainly has a large number of iDdiscreet
friends. Numerous bulletins and circulars have
been sent out from the Pension Bureau during
the past six weeks. calling attention to the
efficiency of the management OF the Pension
Office, and how much better the old soldiers are
fariDg under Democratic rule than when the
Republicans were in power These manifestos
were started after the confederate flag
episode, and gotten ostensibly to prove that
Mr.. Cleveland was the soldiers friend notwith-
standing, but these circulars invariably wound
up with a eulogistic notice OF General Black and
incidentally mentioned what strong candi-
date for the vice presidency he would make.
General Black has succeeded in getting great
deal of work out of the employees of his bureau,
and he has corrected great many abuses, but
some of his friends think it would be advisable
for MIN to call off his circular boomers.
General Sparks, Commissioner of the Land
Office has been very quiet of late. but his
friends say he is in the field TO stay. An effort
has been made to obtain favorable expression
from Mr.. Cleveland for one of the above candi-
dates but so far the President has kept his lips
closed. AS they have all hosted MIR. Cleve-
lands name for the first place, the Presidents
friends say 1t would be unwise to interfere.